Thursday Morning Superhero

Here is my round-up of the first week of comics in 2013.  As much as I wanted to read Fatale, I am switching over to the trades to save some money and try out some new books.

The Best:
Punk Rock Jesus #6 - All hell breaks loose in the epic conclusion to Punk Rock Jesus from Sean Murphy.  Jesus Christ and the Flak Jackets prepare for their concert in Jerusalem, we learn a shocking truth from Thomas' past, and we see the end of J2 as we know it.  There are some major secrets revealed that I won't spoil, and the comic ends in the most satisfying panel in a series finale that I have ever read.  There is a reason that this was on my list of best books of 2012.  Go read this series now!

Harvest #5 - We were left with Dr. Dane having just passed out after removing a bullet from his chest.  Issue #5 picks up the action right where it left off when Mariko injects Dane full of adrenaline so they can continue their pursuit of Jason and rescue Marta.  In an issue that features more kidney transplants, missing retinas, and provides more depth into Dr. Dane, I hope that this isn't really the end for the comic.  The ending wrapped up some things nicely, but definitely leaves the door open for more.  I am hoping that Image moved enough books to allow this series to continue.

The Not So Good:
The New Avengers #1 - This may be due to my lack of history with Black Panther and Wakanda, but this debut did little to grab my attention.  I wouldn't go out and say this isn't a good book, but given the context it definitely isn't for me.  Mildly interesting story with a very predictable final page.

The Rest:

Batman: The Dark Knight #15 - The fight between Batman and Scarecrow come to an epic conclusion in which we see Batman shoot his own blood into the streets of Gotham in order to counter the effects of the Scarecrow's latest toxin.  Fun book with a nice conclusion to this arc.

Morbius #1 - I gave this one a try on a whim and thought a vampire comic could be fun right now.  It turns out that I was right and I enjoyed the return of Morbius.  He just broke out of prison and is laying low in a town that is full of crime and corruption.  A fresh take on vampires that dispels many of the typical vampire myths (garlic, wooden stake, etc.) in the first issue.  Looks like Morbius is a character that wants to do the right thing, but ends up making things worse.  I will be on board for issue #2.

Thursday Morning Superhero

Another Thursday is upon us and I have my weekly review of the comics I felt like reading.  This week featured the end of the first arc of John Layman's Mars Attacks, a new volume of Deadpool from the duo of Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn, and Harvest build suspense before the next issue wraps up this great series.  Without further ado, lets get down to business!

Pick of the Week:

Deadpool #1 - There is a crisis at hand.  A group of deceased presidents have been raised from the dead by the Necromancer and S.H.E.I.L.D. doesn't want a public relations nightmare after Captain America is photographed decapitating Harry Truman.  This is a case tailor made for Deadpool.  Duggan and Posehn deliver the goods and dish out the humor, the buckets of blood, and the over the top violence.  The battle between FDR and Deadpool is enough to warrant purchasing this book.

Runner-up:

Harvest #4 - Ben starts his quest to reclaim organs that were sold on the black market and give them to deserving individuals who have been waiting for a transfer.  The illegal organ ring is not to keen on this and end up shooting Ben as he escapes.  They are hip to his plan and now he is suffering from being shot.  I hope something good is planned for the conclusion next book, because things don't look too good right now.

The Not as Good:
Fairest #9 - This may be the best looking book in comics right now, but I just haven't been on board for the series.  I am a huge fan of Fables and the universe Bill Willingham has created, but I just don't feel that Fairest has the depth and appeal as Fables.

The Rest:
Detective Comics #14 - We have Penguin, Poison Ivy, and are teased with Clayface at the end of this issue. Layman has another solid issue under his belt and I will continue to buy this book as long as he is writing it.

Mars Attacks # 5 - The first chapter concludes and Earth is safe...for now.  Zar is taken back to Mars where he is promoted and honored in the confusion of his assault on Earth.  With his new access to resources and his new title, Zar is biding his time until he can organize another attack.  This has been a fun arc to read.

Creator Owned Heroes #6 - Darwyn Cooke is introduced to this ongoing series from Image.  With Creator Owned Heroes, you are treated to a series of mini-comics and some insider knowledge about the comic industry.  Based on this issue I may have to back track and pick up #1-5.

Before Watchmen: Moloch #1 - I decided to go back and try another Before Watchmen comic and found this title pretty enjoyable.  While not the most original origin story, it was entertaining to learn about Moloch as a child and how he became such a demented individual.  I will be back for issue #2.